KALAMAZOO, MI --Kalamazoo County Drug Treatment Court officials are hoping some star power will raise
awareness about programs and services available in the community for those
struggling with or affected by addiction.

Sheen is a former alcoholic and father of actor Charlie
Sheen, who has publicly battled substance abuse problems.

The conference, put on by Community Healing Centers and the
Drug Treatment Court Foundation of Kalamazoo County, will also feature breakout
sessions and talks by experts in the field of treatment and recovery.

William Schma, president of the Drug Treatment Court Foundation
and a former Kalamazoo County judge, said he met Sheen through the National
Association of Drug Court Professionals.

"Through that, I've gotten to know him," Schma said. "Martin
has a particular interest in the work drug treatment courts do throughout the
country and devotes a lot of time to helping them and promoting the issues they
care about."

Schma said he isn't certain what Sheen will talk about.

"We didn't script him," he said. "But he will probably
address families that are struggling with substance abuse and talk about the
stigma that attaches to substance abusers and follows them the rest of their
lives."

Sheen will also speak at a luncheon fundraiser for the
Community Healing Centers and Kalamazoo Drug Treatment Court Foundation before
the conference.

Also speaking at the conference will be Earl Hightower, a
prominent intervention specialist.

"He's been called an interventionist to the stars," said
Sally Reames, director of Community Healing Centers. "He been on Dr. Phil and
Oprah."

Reames hopes that Hightowner and Sheen will bring attention
to the issue of substance abuse treatment and recovery.

"If somebody like Martin Sheen can be affected by it, it can
happen to any of us," she said. "Hopefully, this will bring the conversation to
the forefront about treatment and recovery in our community."

To register for the conference, contact John Johnson with
the Community Healing Center at 269-343-1651 ext. 165.

Aaron Mueller is a public safety reporter for the Kalamazoo
Gazette. Contact him at amuelle1@mlive.com or 269-568-3867.
Follow him on Twitter.